Device for crimping groups of synthetic filaments

ABSTRACT

A device for crimping textile materials which comprises a pair of driven rollers in contact with each other and operatively associated with a stuffer box, said box having two plates forming walls of a compression zone or compartment therebetween, one of said rollers and one of said plates being operatively connected to each other to form a unitary construction so that the volume of the stuffer box is automatically increased when the distance between the rollers is increased.

United States Patent 1 11 3,800,373 Fleissner 1 1 Apr. 2, 1974 1 DEVICEFOR CRIMPING GROUPS OF {51] Int. CL... 002g 1/12 SYNTHETIC FIL'AMENTSI58] Field of Search 28/1 .6 [75] Inventor: Heinz Fleissncr, Egclsbach,1

Germany [56 Iv v References Clted [73] Assignec: Vepa AG, Bascl/Schweiz,UNITED STATES PATENTS Switzerland 3,639,955 2/1972 Fleissner ct nl n2X/I .6 [22] Filed: Aug. 4, 1971 App]. No.: 168,825

Foreign Application Priority Data Aug, 10, 1970 Aug, 10, 1970 Oct. 30,1970 Dec. 21, 1970 Dec. 21, 1970 Dec. 21, 1970 Apr. 8, 1971 Apr, 10,1971 Apr. 20, 1971 U.S. Cl. t.

Primary I2'xaminer-Louis K. Rimrodt Attorney, Agent, or I"irmCraig andAntonclli [57] ABSTRACT A device for crimping textile materials whichcomprises a pair of driven rollers in contact with each other andoperatively associated with a stuffer box, said box having two platesforming walls of a compression zone or compartment therebetween, one ofsaid rollers and one of said plates being operatively connected to eachother to form a unitary construction so that the volume of the stufferbox is automatically increased when the distance between the rollers isincreased.

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HEINZ FLEISSNER Q uLE GAAtOMJLQQC +HLQQ ATTORNEYS PATENTEBAPR 21waaooava saw 09a? 11 i mam HEINZ FLEISSNER BY cw fiMuww H922 ATFORNEYS 1DEVICE FOR CRIMPING GROUPS OF SYNTHETIC FILAMENTS This invention relatesto a device for crimping groups of synthetic filaments, synthetic fiberbands or synthetic fiber slivers having two rollers that are driven andpressed upon each other at a certain pressure controlled by apiston-cylinder unit, and that are followed by a stuffer box having acompression compartment formed by two plates.

There are various types of stuffer-crimper devices known which are alldesigned to permit the obtainment ofa uniform crimp in textured y-arns,threads, bands, or the like. The pressure in the stuffer box which is tobe maintained constant and which determines the fineness of crimp is oneof the main prerequisities of good quality crimping in the finalproduct; this pressure can be controlled by varying the speed of thefeed rollers and by varying the cubic content of the stuffer box.'Tothis end provisions are made for the feed roller speed to be variableand for the plates, rolls, or the like which form the stuffer box 'to bemovable towards each other. It is also possible to restrict the lengthof the stuffer box by a piston or the like device. This restriction iseffected mainly at the beginning of the crimping operation. As soon asthe required crimping pressure is obtained in the stuffer box, theplates of the stuffer box are raised upright and may finally be standingparallel to each other. 7

Despite the diverse possibilities of adjustment provided by the knowncrimping devices-which adjustment can be automatically effected toensure the obtainment of a uniform crimp-it is not always possible withthese known devices to maintain the pressure in the box constant,i.e.,to perform the necessary readjustment rapidly enough within acertain period after the initial pressure has changed. The inertia ofthe individual machine elements was usually too great to permit it anyreally satisfactory re-adjustment. This is mainly due to the fact thatthe pressure which is exerted upon the material in the stuffer boxdepends on the pressure which is built up by the material itself, and

that any re-adjustment can take place only after the pressure in the boxhas been again increased. This time lag and the change of pressureresulting therefrom often causes a non-uniform crimp to be produced.

This non-uniformity will not even be eliminated by thepreventive-measure of feeding the threads or filamentary bands into aknown stuffer box at a constant pressure which can be adjustedindependently of the feeding or drawing-off speed at which the materialis fed into or discharged from the stuffer box. In this known crimpingdevice, the clutch which serves for driving the feed rollers features amaximum torque and reacts only after a certain force/time interval.

During the continuous operation of this device, the pressure in the boxwill only changeif there are any quantitative irregularities, i.e., aknot, an additional thread or band, or the like passedthrough the nip ofthe feed rollers, into the stuffer box.

In order to allow any such irregularities to be passed through the nipof the feed rollers, the rollers of a known device are flexibly orpivotally mounted. This measure, however, does not have any influenceupon the pressure in the box which automatically increases if and when alarger quantity of material is fed into the box; in this case thematerial is more strongly comments.

According to the present. invention, this object is achieved byconnecting one roller and its associated place by intermediate mountingelements so that the two elements form one rigidly connected unit; as aconsequence, the cubic content of the stuffer box is increased if andwhen the distancebetween the roller axes is increased. It thereforefollows that if one of the rollers is lifted up by a knot passingbetween the nip of the rollers, the cubic content of the box isautomatically increased because one of the plates forming the stufferbox is rigidly connected with this roller.

There are several crimping apparatus constructions which will solvethese problems. First, it is possible to support the roller and theplate associated with it in one common bearing bracket which isswivelable in the known way, i.e., by pressure, around an axis which islocated in front of the pair of feed rollers when viewed in thedirection of material passage. However, it is also feasible to have thisaxis located behind the two rollers when viewed in the direction ofmaterial passage. Second, it is also contemplated to mount the rollerand the plate to one common bearing bracket which is shiftable bypressure in a guide rail which extends in roughly vertical direction tothe plate.

As has been mentioned above, it is known to support at least one sectionof one of the plates forming the stuffer box in such a way that it ismovablev towards the othervplate by means of a piston-cylinder unit inorder to decrease the cubic content of the box.

With a device of the above-described design, the object of the inventionis achieved by making the pistoncylinder unit which ensures the movementof the plate act on a plate section which is fixed to the roller. Thisfixed section preferably also serves for varying the distance betweenroller axes. For this purpose, the pistoncylinder unit may, forinstance, be pivotally mounted to a traverse element which is fastenedto a stationary element and at a definite angle to the piston of thepistoncylinder unit which serves for operating the roller.

According to the invention, it is necessary to make provisions forlifting the rollers off each other and at the same time moving theplates which form the stuffer box away from each other. In addition, oneof the plates is to be swivelable around the axis of its associatedroller so that the cubic content of the box can be varied. This can beeasily achieved by mounting the piston-cylinder unit which serves forswiveling the plate and a side bracket which is swivelable around theaxis of the roller in such a way that the two elements are togetherswivelable around the swing axis of the bearing bracket by means of thepiston-cylinder unit which acts upon a base plate and which serves foroperating the roller.

In a device comprising the side bracket which holds the plate and isswiveled around the axis of the associated roller by means of apiston-cylinder unit, the

3 last-mentioned piston-cylinder unit can be pivotally mounted to thefree end of the side bracket which is connected with the plate and alsoto the swivelable or shiftable bearing bracket.

It will be recognized that it is of advantage to mount the plates of thestuffer box in such a manner that for cleaning purposes the plates caneasily be swung out of the operative position; this is the only way toensure the rapid and easy cleaning of the delicate plate edges which arenear to the surfaces of the feed rollers while the box is in operatingposition. It is of particular advantage that, with due regard to theabove-mentioned characteristics, the piston-cylinder unit which servesfor swiveling the side bracket of the device according to the invention,acts on the plate via a swing arm. The two piston-cylinder units used tooperate the rollers and to swivel the plate may be replaced by onesingle piston-cylinder unit which, however, must act upon both thebearing bracket and the swing arm of the plate, via steering rods.

In order to safeguard the mobility of the individual parts of thestuffer box during the actual operation of the device, the exactposition of the plates in relation to each other must be guaranteed evenwith a device which is ready for operation. Still taking theabovementioned details into account, this special requirement is met bysupporting the associated pistoncylinder unit of the device which isready for operation in bearings both at its front and at its rear end;one of the bearings being designed as a release bearing and the otherone being designed as a swivel bearing. It is expedient to design thepiston-cylinder unit in such a way that the front end of the cylinder isswivelable around a stationary shaft and the rear endvof the piston issupported to be adjustable in a stationary bearing. This ensures theexact position of the plates even if the stuffer box is in operation andat the same time safeguards the required mobility of the plates.

According to the invention, the rear end of the piston which extendsthrough the cylinder can be provided with a lock including a threadedconnection or spindle upon which a swing lever or the like can bescrewed, and which is tightened against the stationary bearing. Thisprovision permits the fixation ofa plate in any required position to theother plates. If the production line or the device only is to becleaned, the lock has to be loosened and the piston-cylinder unit to beswung out around the bearing at its front end; this permits the easyaccess to the edge of the plate which is normally adjacent to thesurface of one of the rollers.

As has already been mentioned above, it is necessary to move one of thetwo plates which form the stuffer box or at least one section of thisplate towards the other plate when starting the device in order toretain the material which is fed into the stuffer box within this box.The material is then accumulated in the box and creates of itself thepressure which is required for crimping; after the required pressure hasbeen reached, the plates of the box will be forced apart each other.This movement of one of the plates can also be effected by means ofpiston-cylinder units. When swiveling the unit in order to decrease thecubic content of the stuffer box, care has to be taken that the entireunit swings around the central point of the respective roller becauseotherwise the sharp edge of the plate touching the roller might bedamaged or a slit be produced between the roller and the plate.

For cleaning purposes, too, this plate must be easily accessible;according to a prior patent application, easy access is achieved bysupporting the plate in such a manner that it is swivelable. It has beenfound by experience, however, that the position of the plate, too, hasto be exactly adjustable. In accordance with the present invention, thisadjustment of the plate position required to achieve the object of theinvention is safeguarded by letting the stationarily supportedpiston-cylinder unit act on a side bracket which is swivelable aroundthe axis of one of the rollers; the plate is thus swivelable in relationto the side bracket and can be set to any desired position. To ensurethe exact adjustment of the plate, it is of advantage to provide theside bracket with a buffer or cushioning stop for the plate itself and,respectively, for its bearing bracket. For stability reasons, thisbuffer ought to be mounted behind the hinge in the bearing bracket. Ifthe free end of the side bracket rests upon the buffer, it is possibleto swing the plate either by hand or by means of an additionalpiston-cylinder unit around its bearing in the side bracket, whichfacilitates cleaning the plate edge.

It has also been found that the swivel mounting of the plates greatlyfacilitates their cleaning and mounting, particularly in dismantling.The bearings of the plates, however, must be very sturdy, especially ifcoarse yarns are to be crimped, in order to ensure the exact position ofthe plates in relation to the feed rollers, during extended use.Pressure may be so high that the otherwise advantageous swivel bearingsare no longer recommendable. This problem may be solved by supporting atleast one of the plates of the stuffer box or even the stuffer box as awhole so that it can be shifted in relation to the pair of feed rollers,This slide bearing can be of very sturdy construction while at the sametime featuring relatively small dimensions. A slide conveyor, forinstance, is very safe and easy to mount and permits the translatoryshifting of the plate as well as shifting the plate in verticaldirection to the plane formed by the axes of the rollers. The plate orthe stuffer box as a whole can be shifted either by hand or by means ofa threaded spindle with a crank or some other means such as apiston-cylinder unit.

To permit the exact alignment of the plate with respect to the stufferbox as a whole to the pair of feed rollers and to permit the easyre-alignment of the device after cleaning, the present inventionprovides for an adjusting unit or means, e.g., a screw connection, whichis mounted to the plate or the side bracket of the plate and whichtouches with its head upon a bearing bracket. If the plate is shifted bymeans of a pistoncylinder unit, adjustment can be effected by means ofthis very unit because electrically operating means cause the shiftingof the plate.

Another possible construction for providing a sturdy and accuratebearing consists in supporting the plate in guide bars. It is ofadvantage if these guide bars are embraced by the plate itself or by itsbearing arms. This type of slide guidance is advantageous insofar asround surfaces such as bore holes can be more easily and often moreprecisely machined than plane surfaces.

It is even more advantageous to support the plate in ball-bearingsleeves on the bars, which ball-bearing sleeves can preferably beprovided with fixable, axially directed slits. This type of bearingguarantees the safe sliding and secure support of the plate; there is noneed of providing for the otherwise required manufacturing tolerances.

It has been contemplated to construct the slide guid ance as a dovetailassembly, for instance, or as a guidance with round bars. It is stillbetter, however, if the plate is in its operating position fixed to thebearing bracket or any other mounting elements so that it is easilyremovable. This measure will make excessively accurate slide guidanceunnecessary. What is very important in this case is the exact positionof the plate in its operating state in relation to the rollers. If theplates are to be removed from the rollers, it is possible to attach themquite loosely to the device. After cleaning,

for instance, the plates have only to be re-set to their initialposition, which resetting can be easily effected by making use of theembodiment of the present invention.

The connection between the plate and the elements 7 which hold it ispreferably constructed so that the plate is provided with a specialguide plate which is mounted to the side which is turned away from thestuffer box. This guide plate extends on a rail between two preferablyspring-mounted arms of the bearing bracket. In this arrangement, it isof advantage if the piston of the piston-cylinder unit is pivotallymounted to the rail which serves for setting the plate to its cleaningpositon and also for resetting it to its operating position.

The manufacturing costs of any such device with the above-describedcharacteristics are very high. Manufacturers therefore have tried tobuild larger stuffer boxes which would permit the treatment of widerfilamentary bands or of several bands at a time. It was found, however,that this led to a deterioration of the final crimp: The crimp was notuniform, and the required larger roller widths were found to have thedisadvantage that the pressure across the width of the feed rollers wasnot uniform.

The manufacture of very efficient crimping machines is rendered lessexpensive by subdividing both the plates and the feed rollers at leastonce over their width so that the bearing serves as supporting assemblyof at least two crimping devices with optimum working widths. Since thebearings are one of the largest cost factors in the manufacture of thecrimping device, the above measure will, apart from simplifying theconstruction, also reduce prime costs.

The production costs and the operating costs of the feed rollers areanother very important point.

To ensure the accurate feeding of the textile material into the stufferbox, the feed rollers of the crimping device must exhibit an absolutetrue rotation and have smooth surfaces without any grooves. Themachining of the rollers does not present any problems. Problems usuallyarise, however, when the machine has been put into operation and hasbeen operating for a certain time. The constant friction of the materialon the rollers will render the hard ground roller surface rough, andthere will be grooves produced which impede the accurate drawing-in ofthe fibrous bands or like material. The rollers have then to bere-ground, i.e., they have to be dismounted and possibly shipped back tothe manufacturers works.

Dismantling the rollers from the pedestal or frame of the device is verydifficult. The bearings of these rollers which have to stand pressuresof several metric tons have to be very large indeed and must beaccurately guided because any dislocation of the rollers either inradial or in axial direction must be avoided. The pressure exerted bythe textile material which is being drawn into the stuffer box sufficesto make the rollers bend in their middle section; the material band thenruns through the higher nip, the drawing-in speed varies across thewidth of the rollers, and, as a consequence, there is a non-uniformcrimp produced. A displacement of the rollers in axial direction leadsto create a higher nip or spacing at the side walls of the stuffer box;and, consequently, there is the danger of fibers sticking between themachine parts performing a relative motion. To ensure the safe operationof the device, these parts have to be thoroughly cleaned. From the abovedescription, it will be realized that dismantling and re-mounting aroller which is to be exactly supported in its pedestal is both verydifficult and time-consuming. Unless there are several exchange crimpingmachines operating, these mounting operations will necessitate longstandstills of the respective production line. The losses resultingtherefrom are considerable. I

Advantageously, this problem can be solved by equipping the device ofthe invention with a grinding mechanism which is placed adjacent to thefeed rollers, i.e., by putting a grinding mechanism onto the plateswhich form the stuffer box each time the stuffer box is cleaned, and tore-grind the roller surfaces to their initial smoothness on the spot,i.e., without having to dismantle them. This measure permits re-grindingthe rollers more often than actually necessary and eliminates any dangerof grooves being produced which would certainly lead to the productionof an inferior crimp.

As heretofore noted, this measure permits the rapid and easyre-machining of the rollers. However, although dismantling the device isunnecessary, the operators who are entrusted with the task of servicingthe device will have to perform certain functions which are normallycarried through by highly skilled mechanical engineers. The absolutesmoothness of the re-ground roller surfaces is therefore not alwaysguaranteed, and it may even be necessary to after all dismantle therollers and transport the rollers to the manufacturers works where theyare then re-ground by means of special machines.

Re-grinding the roller surfaces will be even easier if the bearings ofat least one of the rollers are embraced by separate bearing rings whichin turn are fastened to the pedestal or frame support of the device.This makes it unnecessary to remove the individual bearings from theirshafts before removing the rollers themselves from the pedestal. Theonly works to be done are to loosen the screws or the like by which thebearing ring is fixed to the pedestal and then to remove the entireroller together with its very delicate bearings from the crimpingdevice. Thereupon, the roller may either be replaced by a spare rollerof the same type or be transported to the manufacturers works forrepairing. In any case, the exchange of a feed roller will not entailany long standstills of the textile production line, or are there anyexpert workers or special tools required.

It is also possible to prevent the plate edge which faces a roller fromcoming into contact with the surface of the roller when being swiveledin order to decrease the cubic content of the stuffer box by supportingthis plate in such a way that it is swivelable around the roller axis.With the bearing required herefor, too, this measure according to theinvention is of great advantage: In this case the bracket which servesfor swiveling the plate is mounted to a separate bearing ring which, inits turn, embraces the roller bearing.

Apart from the above-described characteristics of the crimping device,it will be understood that the zones or points where the nip of the feedrollers and the lateral walls of the stuffer box are adjacent to eachother are very critical points.

To prevent material particles from accumulating at these points or zoneswhere relative speeds are prevailing and from thereby endangering thecrimping process, it is absolutely necessary to provide for a hard,one-hundred-percent sealing of these points. One measure to this endconsists in sinking thrust washers into the lateral walls which washersare surface-ground with high precision and seal against the faces of thefeed rollers. Since, under the influence of pressure, the washers reston the faces of the rollers, they are subject to wear and become veryquickly useless, i.e., they have to be very often dismounted andreplaced by new ones.

In order to eliminate the disadvantages which are caused by thestoppages required for exchanging the thrust washers said thrust washersmay be replaced by endless belts which run around the nip of the feedrollers. This measure ensures the constant sealing of the criticalpoints by unworn belt sections. Very difficult problems, however, arenot only the obtainment of a very accurate guidance of the sealing beltwith its drive but also the obtainment of a sufficiently great pressureagainst which the belt has to run. Such an endless seal- .ing beltreplacing the thrust washers or even the side walls of the stuffer boxdoes by no means ensure the trouble-free operation of the crimpingdevice over extended periods.

According to the invention, this problem is overcome by still using theknown thrust washers which ensure a perfect sealing at least for aparticular period. In this case, however, means must be provided toeliminate any danger of spotty wear.

This problem may be solved by supporting the thrust washers so that theyare swivelable in parallel direction to the roller axes. It is veryadvantageous indeed if the washers turn continuously so that they areworn on their entire surfaces, i.e., over the total surface which is incontact with the roller faces. If, in addition, the revolution axis ofthe thrust washer is located eccentric from the roller nip, there willnot even be any triblet produced, which could be the case if onlycertain sections of the washer are worn; the thrust washer can thus beused without interruption until a certain minimum thickness of the diskis reached and there is no danger of the crimp becoming inferior. Thisabove-described measure will ensure an excellent one-hundred-percentsealing of the two ends of the roller nip, which sealing cannot beguaranteed by endless sealing belts.

It is obvious that the uniform wear of the thrust washer is only ensuredif the thrust washer turns continuously around its axis. To this end, itis advantageous to equip the thrust washer with an automaticallyoperating adjustment element, e.g. a piston-cylinder unit, the piston ofwhich is at its free end provided with an adjustment head which engageswith a toothing or gearing in the thrust washer.

The device of this invention will be further understood from thefollowing detailed description and from the various embodiments shown inthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view ofa crimpng device of the invention with aswivelable bearing bracket;

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the crimping device according to FIG.1, with a shiftable bearing bracket;

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the crimping device according to FIG. 2 inwhich one plate of the stuffer box is also swivelable;

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the crimping device of FIG. I, in whichthe stuffer box plate, also, is swivelable;

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the crimping device with the swivelablebearing bracket standing in a certain position while one roller and therespective plate are lifted off the other roller;

FIG. 6 shows the crimping device according to FIG. 5 in two differentoperating positions;

FIG. 7 shows the crimping device according to FIGS. 5 and 6, in whichthe plates of the stuffer box are swung out;

FIG. 8 is a cross section through a device for crimping groups ofsynthetic filaments, in the non-operative position;

FIG. 9 is a view of the device according to FIG. 8, seen in thedirection of arrow A;

FIG. 10 is a top view ofa device similar to that shown in FIG. 8,however, with another type of adjusting unit;

FIG. 11 shows a device for crimping groups of synthetic filamentssimilar to that shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a view of the device according to FIG. 11, seen in thedirection of the arrow B;

FIG. 13 is a section through the device according to FIG. 12 taken alongthe line XIIIXIII;

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal section through a crimping device which issimilar to that shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a partial view of the crimping device according to FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a cross section through a crimping device which is similar tothat shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 17 shows the basic design of the crimping device according to FIG.16, however, without stuffer box and with a grinding mechanism;

FIG. 18 shows the device according to FIG. 17, however, with a differentlocation of the grinding mechanism;

FIG. 19 is a longitudinal section through a crimping device;

FIG. 20 is a section through the axis of the top roller of the pair offeed rollers according to FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 shows the end of the crimping device at which the pair ofrollers is located;

FIG. 22 shows one end of the pair of rollers; and

FIG. 23 is an enlarged view of a section through the adjusting unittaken along the line XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 22.

The device of this invention for crimping groups of synthetic filamentsessentially consists of rollers l and 2 which form a pair of feedrollers and of a subsequent stuffer box 3 which is formed by upper andlower box plates 4 and 5. Side plates which form the lateral walls ofthe stuffer box are not shown. FIGS. 1 and 4, which primarily serve fordescribing the operating principle, show a bearing bracket 13 serving asa rigid connection between the roller 2 and the plate 4. Bearing bracket13 is swivelable around a hinge 10. According to FIGS. 1 and 4, thishinge 10 is located in front of the pair of rollers. In the embodimentof FIGS. 2 and 3, the bearing bracket 13' runs in a parallelconstruction 30 whereby it can be shifted in the vertical direction tothe plate 4 which is shown in its operating position.

The respective bearing bracket 13 or l3' is put into operation by apiston-cylinder unit 25 which is stationarily supported at a point 31and the piston l 1 of which is more or less pushed into the cylinder ofthe unit 25, depending on the angle of swing of the bearing bracket 13in FIGS. 1 and 4, respectively, or on the degree of shift of the bearingbracket 13' in FIGS. 2 and 3. If, for instance, a material knot passesthe nip of the rollers l and 2, the bearing bracket 13 or 13 swings orshifts to the position which is shown by the dash-dotted lines in FIGS.1 and 2.

FIGS. 3 and 4 also show the possibility of swiveling the plate 4 intoits cleaning position (shown in FIG. 4) and also to the position inwhich it is swiveled around the center point of the roller 2 in order todecrease the cubic content of the stuffer box 3 at the beginning of thecrimping process (shown in FIG. 3). To this end the plate 4 is supportedin a side bracket 14 in order to be swivelable around an axis 7 andconnected with the piston of a piston-cylinder unit 9 which is fastenedto the bearing bracket 13' by a swivel arm,8.

In its operating position, the plate 4 rests upon a stop 14'. Thedash-dotted lines in FIG. 3 show the plate 4 while it is swung in todecrease the cubic content of the stuffer box 3. To achieve this, thepiston projects out of the cylinder of the unit 9.

For cleaning purposes, the piston is pushed into the cylinder of theunit 9, the plate 4 is swiveled around ahinge 7 and reaches the position(corresponding to that indicated by the dash-dotted lines in FIG. 4)while the side bracket 14 rests with a stay 32 upon the bearing bracket13.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment for swiveling both the plate 4 and thebearing bracket 13 by means of one single piston-cylinder unit 25. Inthis embodiment, the free end of the piston 11 of the unit 25 acts uponboth the bearing bracket 13 and a swivel arm 8, via steering rods 33.Limiting elements 34 which are shown in FIG. 4 serve for restrictingtheangle of swing FIGS. and 6 show in detail the apparatus which wasschematically shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The rigid connection between theplate 4 and the roller 2 consists of the bearing bracket 13 which isswivelable around a hinge 10; the side bracket 14 which is swivelablearound the axis of the roller 2; a piston-cylinder unit 23 which servesfor swiveling the side bracket 14; and a traverse rod 24 which is fixedto the piston 11 of the piston-cylinder unit 25 stationarily fixed to abase plate 19. The unit 25 serves to the axis of the roller 2, and thetraverse is connected with the unit 23 by a hinge 35. It will beappreciated that as soon as the unit 25 is actuated or a knot passesbetween the nip of the rollers 1 and 2, the plate 4 is lifted up and, asa consequence, the space 3 between the plates 4 and 5 is increased insize. The result hereof is that even in case there are irregularitiessuch as knots or the like fed into the stuffer box, there is a quiteuniform crimp produced. There is no danger of the pressure in thestuffer box suddenly increasing by any such quantitative changes inmaterial feed. There is no need for any electronic control instrumentswith delicate feeling elements.

This construction of the device is very advantageous because it permitsswiveling the plate 4 to the inside in order to decrease the cubiccontent of the stuffer box 3 and also, to swing the plate out in orderto clean it. FIG. 6 shows the manner in which the plate 4 can beswiveled around the axis of the roller 2 in order to decrease the cubiccontent of the stuffer box. To this end the piston 23 of thepiston-cylinder unit 23 which is fixed to the bearing bracket 13 via thepiston 11 and the traverse 24 is pivotally mounted to the free end ofthe side bracket 14. If the piston 23 is pushed into the cylinder of theunit 23 either bypneumatic or by hydraulic force, the side bracket 14and, consequently, the plate 4, too, swing to their positions indicatedby the dash-dotted lines.

If, on the other hand, the plate 4 is to be swung out so that its edgewhich is usually adjacent to the roller 2 can be cleaned, this swingingmotion can be effected in different ways. First, the piston 11 of theunit 25 can be entirely pulled out of the cylinder and thereby swivelthe upper part of the device around the axis 10 into the position to begathered from FIG. 5. In addition, the piston 23' of the unit 23 mayswivel the side bracket 14 around the center point of the roller 2.Furthermore, the plate 4 with its double bracket 29 can be moved arounda hinge 16 at the side bracket 14, i.e., after the lock 27 at thebearing bracket 26 has been loosened. On termination of the cleaningoperation, the double bracket 29 and the plate 4 are re-set and exactlyadjusted to their initial positions by means of a screw 27, whichmeasure ensures the permanent and exact alignment of the plate 4 to theother elements of the device.

The plate 5 can be swiveled around an axis 15 by means of apiston-cylinder unit 9, the piston 18 of which is with one of its endspivotally mounted to a double bracket 17 of the plate 5 and with itsother end fixed to a stay 21 on the base plate 19 of the device.Adjustment is effected by means of a screw 20 which engages with thethreaded end of the piston 18 and rests on the stay 21 of the base plate19. To swivel the plate 5 into its cleaning position, it is necessary toundo the screw connection between the piston and the base plate,toswivel. the unit 9 around the stationary hinge 22 at the base plate19, and to push the piston 18 out of the cylinder by pneumatic force,for instance. The unit 9 will thereupon be in the position shown by thedash-dotted lines in FIG. 7. If the plate is to be re-set to itsoperating position the unit 9, too, has to reassume its originalposition.

This re-setting is effected by means of the screw 20 which permits theexact re-alignment and arresting of the plate 5. The sturdy connectionof the unit 9 with the base plate 19 ensures the safe and accurateadjustment of the plate 5 in itsoperating position.

The above description is equally valid for the construction of theswivel unit acting on plate 4. This plate 4 is swivelable not onlyaround a hinge 16 but also.

around the axis of the roller 2 via the side bracket 14. Swiveling theplate 4 around the axis of the roller 2 is ensured by thepiston-cylinder unit 23, the piston 23 of which is connected with thefree end of the side bracket 14, and the cylinder of which is fixed by astay 24 to the piston 11 of the unit 25 which in this operation is ofminor importance and serves for swiveling the roller 2 around the hinge10 via the element 13.

If the plate 4 is to be swiveled from its operating position into thecleaning position which is indicated by the dash-dotted lines in FIG. 7,i.e., if it is to be swiveled around the hinge 16 at the side bracket14, the lock at the bearing bracket 26 is loosened by means of the screw27 and the plate 4 may be manually swiveled to the position indicated bythe dash-dotted lines. Similar to the plate 5, the plate 4, too, can bearrested in its operating position by the screw 27 and a screw 28 at thebearing bracket 26. The screw 28 serves as a counter element. The plates4 and forming the stuffer box 3 can thus be easily cleaned without anyneed of long standstills; since they can thereafter be most exactlyreadjusted to their operating position, there is always a uniform crimpobtained.

FIGS. 8, 9 and show another embodiment in which the individual parts ofthe stuffer box can be swiveled to their cleaning position. With theembodiment of the device according to FIG. 8, the top plate 4 (in themanner heretofore described) can be swiveled to its operating positionwhich is indicated by the dash lines and then possibly swiveled to itscleaning position indicated by the dash-dotted lines, while the bottomplate 5 is supported in a slide of dovetail unit 36. The sliding railsof the dovetail unit 36 are cut into the bearing bracket 37 on the frontplate 38 of which there rests an adjusting screw 40 which is located inthe side bracket 41 of plate 5. This adjusting assembly ensures that,after having been cleaned, the plates are exactly re-set to theirinitial positions, i.e., that there is only an infinitesimal slitbetween the plate edges and the surfaces of the feed rollers l and 2.

Shiftability of the plate 5 is safeguarded by a threaded spindle 39which is mounted to the bearing bracket 37. This stationary spindle 39is embraced by the side bracket 41 of plate 5; it is thus possible tomove the plate 5 in relation to the bearing bracket 37 by turning thethreaded spindle 39 with a crank which can be slipped onto the end ofthe spindle.

Apart from being shiftable by means of the abovedescribed threadedspindle (as shown in FIG. 8) the plate and/or the entire stuffer box canbe shifted by hydraulic or pneumatic force, by electrically controlledpiston-cylinder units of the type shown in FIG. 14. After cleaning, eachplate respectively, the entire box can be re-adjusted to its initialposition by means of a tripping mechanism. This feature is shown in FIG.10 where the already described machine elements are supplemented by ahand lever 42 with eccentric clamping disk 43. This clamping disk actson the extended plate 5, at the side which is turned away from therollers l and 2 and at one side ofthe bearing bracket 37. At the otherside of the bearing bracket 37, the plate 5 is fixed by a bolt 44 whichis, for instance, supported to be swivelable around one end.Consequently, the extended plate 5 is provided with a keyway the size ofwhich corresponds to the outer diameter of the bolt 44. This type ofquick-adjusting lock ensures the easy and rapid dismantling andre-mounting of the stuffer box.

In contrast to FIGS. 8 to 10, FIGS. 11 to 13 show an embodiment of thecrimping device in which the bearing assembly of plate 5, the stufferbox essentially consists of two round rods 45 and 46. These rods areembraced by the bearing brackets 47 and 48 of plate 5, and that at acertain distance. Touch contact between the bearing brackets and therods is effected by ballbearing sleeves 49 which can be shifted on thebearing brackets (shown in FIG. 13). However, it is also feasible to usesimple bearing bushings 49'. It is here of advantage if the bearingbrackets are provided with longitudinal slits 50, 5] adjustable by meansof screws or the like. It will be understood that the ball-bearingsleeves are easy and inexpensive to manufacture and ensure the exactalignment of the plate 5 as well as its easy shiftability in the longrun.

The plate 5 is shifted along the guide rods 45, 46 by means ofapiston-cylinder unit 52 which is mounted in the middle between the rods45 and 46, on the foundation of the device; the free end of the pistonacting on the plate 5 via an additional bracket 53 which is arrangedunderneath the plate.

FIG. 12 further shows that it is also contemplated to mount two stufferboxes 3 and 3" to the bearing assembly of the device. The two boxesconsist of a top plate 4 and a bottom plate 5 with lateral limitingelements which may be fixed to the bottom plate 5 by pneumatic clampingunits 54. Each of the stuffer boxes 3', 3" is adjoined to a pair of feedrollers consisting of roller 1 and roller 2, each.

Contrary to the embodiments of the device shown in FIGS. 8 to 13, thoseshown in FIGS. 14 and 15 are equipped with plates 4 and 5 which are onlyfixed when being set to the operating position. To this end, the guideplates 78, 79 of the box plates 4, 5 are at those sides which aredirected away from the stuffer box 3 stationarily fixed to the bearingbracket 37 or the side bracket 14, by pneumatic locking units 76, 77.

The guide plates 78, 79 are T-shaped; the respective crossbar rests upontwo arms 37, 37" of the bearing bracket 37, and on two arms l4, 14" ofthe side bracket 14. That part of the guide plate 78, 79 which isstanding vertical to the above-mentioned crossbar is in the drawingdesignated as rail 78', 79. The rail 78, 79' extends between the twoarms of the respective bearing bracket and is fixed quite tightly to thebearing bracket by means of a locking unit 76, 77. The abovedescribedprovisions ensure the tight arresting of the guide plate 78, 79 andthereby of the plates 4, 5 of the stuffer box in their operatingpositions.

If the plates 4, 5 of the stuffer box are to be swiveled from theirinitial position (as shown in full lines) to their cleaning positionindicated by the dash lines, the locking units 76, 77 are loosened at acontrol desk (not shown) and the inclined piston-cylinder units 80, 81are actuated. The cylinder of the unit 80 which is associated with plate4 is pivotally mounted to the bearing bracket 37 while the piston of theunit 80 is pivotally mounted to the rail 78 of the guide plate 78. Whenthe piston of unit 80 is pushed out of the cylinder, the unit swivels orpivots around the axis at the bearing bracket 37 and shifts the plate 4in relation to the roller 1. The degree of shift is limited by thelocking units 76, 77 which are located at both sides of the piston andextend between the arms 37, 37" of the bearing bracket 37. If the plate4 is to be re-set to its operating position, the piston-cylinder unit isagain actuated until an adjusting screw 40 touches upon the front edgesof the slide arms 37', 37". This measure ensures the exact re-alignmentof the plate 4 in its operating position.

The piston-cylinder unit which serves for shifting plate 5 is mounted inabout the same way as unit 80. Unit 81, however, is not supported in thebearing bracket 37 but in the side bracket 14 which is connected withthe bearing shaft of the roller 2 and serves for swiveling the box plate5 to its operating position (as shown in dash-dotted lines). To alignthe plate 5 to the side bracket 14, a screw 40' is also provided. Inthis case, too, the hinge joint of the piston of the pistoncylinder unit81 with the rail 79 is arranged between the two locking units 76, 77,which ensures the safe fixing of the flexibly mounted arms 14, 14" tothe rail 79' and, as a consequence, the safe adjustment of the plate 5.

FIGS. 16 to 18 show an embodiment which permits the rapid regrinding ofthe feed rollers I, 2. According to this embodiment, the individualparts forming the stuffer box cannot only be shifted in the direction ofmaterial passage but can be completely removed; on having removed theseparts, a grinding mechanism 55 is slipped onto the guide rods 45, 46 bymeans of which mechanism 55, the feed rollers l, 2 can be easilyremachined in situ. The mechanism comprises a grinding disk 56 which ismounted on a sledge 57 which can be shifted on a base plate 58, alongthe rollers 1, 2. To grind the top roller 1, the sledge 57 is equippedwith an intermediate part 59 which permits grinding this roller whileusing the same sledge (see FIG. 18).

FIGS. 19 and 20 show a particularly advantageous construction forthe'feed roller bearings.

From FIG. 20, it may be recognized that the feed rollers must besupported in several ball bearings which can together stand several tonsof pressure. The rollers l, 2 must not have any axial play becauseotherwise the very fine slit between the side walls 55, 56 and therollers or the plates 4, 5 would be changed. To ensure that the bearingsactually stand the high pressures and also, that there is not any axialplate whatsoever, each roller is at each of its sides equipped with oneself-aligning .ball bearing 69 and one play-free tilted ball bearing 70,

the latter type being shown as a spindle bearing.

These bearings 69, 70 are embraced by bearing rings 71 which are fixedto the bearing bracket 13or, as far as roller 1 is concerned, directlyto the pedestal 19 by means of screws 72, 73 (see FIG. 19). These screwspermit the easy mounting or dismantling of the rollers l, 2 togetherwith their respective bearings 69, 70.

The side bracket 14 which serves for adjusting the top plate 5 of thestuffer box is also supported on the axis of roller 2 by a ball bearing74 which is not directly fixed to the side bracket 14 but is alsosurrounded by a separate bearing ring 75 which is fastened to thebracket in substantially the same way as the bearing ring 71.

As has already been described, the side plates 55, 56 are fastened tothe bottom plate 4 by means of screws 54 or the like in order to beremovable (see FIGS. 21 and 22). There are thrust Washers sunk into theside plates 55, 56 in level with the nip of the feed rollers, whichthrust washers are freely turnable in a keyway 77. These thrust washersare each pressed against the respective roller faces by apiston-cylinder unit 60.

The thrust washers 76 are subject to a constant pressure which is highenough to cause the thrust washers 76 to rest on the faces of therollers l, 2 with as little danger of wear as possible. If, however, acertain degree of pressure is exerted upon the thrust washers 76 fromthe direction of the nip of the rollers, the thrust washers are arrestedin their position by the head or pressure of liquid applied to the valve61 which acts in one direction only. The possibly existing pressure fromthe roller nip may by far exceed the pressure exerted by thepiston-cylinder unit 60 onto the respective thrust washer 76 wihtoutcausing any lifting of the thrust washers 76 from the nip, i.e., fromthe roller faces.

The surface of the thrust washer 76 which faces the roller 1, 2constantly rasps on the outer sections of the rollers. This causes thethrust washers 76 to be rapidly worn and become useless. To eliminatethis, the thrust washers 76 are continuously turned around an axis 62while the crimping device is operating. The axis 62 is located at acertain distance X from the roller nip so that the section which is notcovered by the rollers l, 2 is also worn. Therefrom follows that if theaxis 62 of the thrust washer 68 is eccentrically shifted in relation tothe nip, the thrust washer is uniformly worn across its entire surfacewith which it rests on the roller face.

The revolution of the thrust washer 76 in the keyways 77 which serve asbearings can be effected in various ways. According to the invention,there is a pistoncylinder unit 63 which is fixed to a recess 64 in theside plate (56). The free end of the piston 65 of the unit 63 isequipped with an adjusting head 66 which is swivelable around the hinge67 in the piston rod 65. This adjusting head 66 engages with an externaltoothing 68 which is provided in the thrust washer 76 and has a smallerdiameter than the washer itself.

This design permits the continuous revolution of the thrust washers 76around the axis 62, and that at any required speed and by the means ofthe piston-cylinder units 63. The side of the thrust washer 76 whichfaces the roller face will thus be uniformly worn during the operationof the crimping device. At the same time, there is a constant pressureexerted upon the thrust washers 76 by the non-return valve 61 wherebythe constant sealing between the thrust washer 76 and the feed rollernip is obtained.

It will be understood that the piston-cylinder units employed in thedevice of this invention may be electrically, pneumatically orhydraulically actuated by appropriate control means. Often compressedair is used to actuate these units.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device for crimping groups of textile filaments comprising apair of opposing rollers disposed one above the other, one of saidrollers being mounted in a stationary manner and the other of saidrollers being swivelably mounted, a compression compartment comprising aplate and a bottom plate connected to side plates, said compressioncompartment being associated with the nip of the rollers on one side ofsaid rollers, the improvement which comprises a swivelable top plate anda bottom plate which is stationary in operating position, first pistoncylinder means associated with the top and bottom plates of thecompression compartment for moving the plates of the compartment out ofoperating position and second pressure cylinder means associated withthe top roller for pressing the top roller against the bottom roller,said second piston cylinder means being disposed below a base plate forsupporting said device and the pistons of said second piston pistoncylinders extending laterally past the bottom roller and third pistoncylinder means for swiveling the top plate to reduce space in saidcompression compartment in the operating position, pistons of saidsecond and third pressure cylinder means being arranged substantiallyparallel to each other.

2. The device of claim 1, in which the stuffer box is formed by aplurality of plates and at least one section of the top plates can beswiveled toward the opposing plate to decrease the volume of the stufferbox, the third cylinder means which serves for swiveling said top plate,acting upon a mounting element which is rigidly fixed to the associatedroller.

3. The device of claim 2, in which said third piston cylinder means actsupon support means that is connected with said top roller and thatserves for varying the distance between the roller axes.

4. The device of claim 3, in which the support means acted upon by saidthird piston cylinder means includes a traverse pivotally mounted tosaid unit, said traverse being fixed at a certain definite angle to thepiston of the second piston cylinder means which serves for actuatingsaid one roller.

5. The device of claim 4, in which the third piston cylinder means whichserves for swiveling a associated plate and the side bracket which isswivelable around the axis of the roller are swivelable around theswivel axis of a bearing bracket by said second piston cylinder meanswhich acts upon a base plate and serves for moving the top roller.

6. The device of claim 3 further comprising a side bracket which holdssaid top plate and is swivelable around the axis ofthe associated rollerby said third piston cylinder means, said third piston cylinder meansbeing pivotally mounted both to a free end of the side bracket connectedwith said top plate and to the support means.

7. In a device for crimping groups of textile filaments comprising apair of opposing rollers disposed one above the other, one of saidrollers being mounted in a stationary manner and the other of saidrollers being swivelably mounted, a pressure compartment comprising atop plate and a bottom plate connected to side plates, said compressioncompartment being associated with the nib of the rollers on one side ofsaid rollers, the improvement which comprises a swivelable top plate anda bottom plate which is stationary in operating position, first pistoncylinder means associated with the top and bottom plates of thecompression compartment for moving said plates of said compartment outof operating position and second piston cylinder means associated withthe top roller for pressing the top roller against the bottom roller andmeans operatively associated with at least said bottom plate to enablesaid bottom plate to be shifted in relation to the pair of rollers forcleaning of at least said plates.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said first piston cylinder means movesthe top and bottom plates of said compartment horizontally out of saidoperating position.

9. The device of claim 7, in which the entire compression compartmentformed by the two top and bottom plates can be shifted in relation tothe pair of rollers.

10. The device of claim 7, in which at least the bottom plate can betranslatory shifted in a perpendicular direction to the plane formed bythe axes of the rollers.

11. The device of claim 10, in which at least the bottom plate issupported in a slide assembly which is of dovetail design.

12. The device of claim 10, in which at least the bottom plate isequipped with an adjusting unit which rests upon the stationary part ofa bearing support.

14. The device of claim 13, in which the arms are connected with eachother by clamping devices.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein said first piston cylinder means hasa piston pivotally mounted to the rail of the guide plate.

16. The device of claim 15, in which the piston has a hinge connectionlocated on the rail between two clamping units mounted transversely tothe rail.

17. The device of claim 15, in which each piston cylinder means isinclined in relation to its associated box plate.

18. The device of claim 13 further comprising a side bracket which holdseach plate in its operating position and is swivelable around the axisof the respective roller, said side bracket being equipped with twopivotally connected arms upon the free ends of which rests a guide platefor the other plate forming the compression compartment, said guideplate being shiftable.

19. In a device for crimping groups of textile filaments comprising apair of opposing rollers disposed one above the other, one of saidrollers being mounted in a stationary manner and the other of saidrollers being swivelably mounted, a compression compartment comprising aswivelable plate and a plate which is stationary in operation andconnected to side plates. said compression compartment being operativelyassociated with the nip of the rollers on one side of said rollers forreceiving filaments therefrom, means operatively associated with theplates of the compression compartment for moving the plates of saidcompartment out of operating position and other means operativelyassociated with the rollers for pressing the other of said rollersagainst said one roller, the improvement which comprises bearings for atleast one of the rollers being embraced by a separate bearing ring whichin turn is fixed to a pedestal support.

20. The device of claim 19, in which one of the compression compartmentplates is swivelable around the axis of one of the rollers by a sidebracket, the side bracket being mounted to a separate bearing ring whichin its turn embraces a bearing of the roller.

21. The device of claim 19, in which the rollers are supported in thepedestal support without any axial play by a play-free bearing.

22. In a device for crimping groups of textile filaments comprising apair of opposing rollers disposed one above the other, one of saidrollers being mounted in a stationary manner and the other of saidrollers being swivelably mounted, a compression compartment comprising aswivelable plate and a plate which is stationary in operation andconnected to side plates, said compression compartment being operativelyassociated with the nip of the rollers on one side of said rollers forreceiving filaments therefrom, means operatively associated with theplates of the compression compartment for moving the plates of saidcompartment out of operating position and other means operativelyassociated with the rollers for pressing the other of said rollersagainst said one roller, the improvement which comprises lateralcompression compartment walls provided with thrust washers located levelwith

1. In a device for crimping groups of textile filaments comprising apair of opposing rollers disposed one above the other, one of saidrollers being mounted in a stationary manner and the other of saidrollers being swivelably mounted, a compression compartment comprising aplate and a bottom plate connected to side plates, said compressioncompartment being associated with the nip of the rollers on one side ofsaid rollers, the improvement which comprises a swivelable top plate anda bottom plate which is stationary in operating position, first pistoncylinder means associated with the top and bottom plates of thecompression compartment for moving the plates of the compartment out ofoperating position and second pressure cylinder means associated withthe top roller for pressing the top roller against the bottom roller,said second piston cylinder means being disposed below a base plate forsupporting said device and the pistons of said second piston pistoncylinders extending laterally past the bottom roller and third pistoncylinder means for swiveling the top plate to reduce space in saidcompression compartment in the operating position, pistons of saidsecond and third pressure cylinder means being arranged substantiallyparallel to each other.
 2. The device of claim 1, in which the stufferbox is formed by a plurality of plates and at least one section of thetop plates can be swiveled toward the opposing plate to decrease thevolume of the stuffer box, the third cylinder means which serves forswiveling said top plate, acting upon a mounting element which isrigidly fixed to the associated roller.
 3. The device of claim 2, inwhich said third piston cylinder means acts upon support means that isconnected with said top roller and that serves for varying the distancebetween the roller axes.
 4. The device of claim 3, in which the supportmeans acted upon by said third piston cylinder means includes a traversepivotally mounted to said unit, said traverse being fixed at a certaindefinite angle to the piston of the second piston cylinder means whichserves for actuating said one roller.
 5. The device of claim 4, in whichthe third piston cylinder means which serves for swiveling a associatedplate and the side bracket which is swivelable around the axis of theroller are swivelable around the swivel axis of a bearing bracket bysaid second piston cylinder means which acts upon a base plate andserves for moving the top roller.
 6. The device of claim 3 furthercomprising a side bracket which holds said top plate and is swivelablearound the axis of the associated roller by said third piston cylindermeans, said third piston cylinder means being pivotally mounted both toa free end of the side bracket connected with said top plate and to thesupport means.
 7. In a device for crimping groups of textile filamentscomprising a pair of opposing rollers disposed one above the other, oneof said rollers being mounted in a stationary manner and the other ofsaid rollers being swivelably mounted, a pressure compartment comprisinga top plate and a bottom plate connected to side plates, saidcompressiOn compartment being associated with the nib of the rollers onone side of said rollers, the improvement which comprises a swivelabletop plate and a bottom plate which is stationary in operating position,first piston cylinder means associated with the top and bottom plates ofthe compression compartment for moving said plates of said compartmentout of operating position and second piston cylinder means associatedwith the top roller for pressing the top roller against the bottomroller and means operatively associated with at least said bottom plateto enable said bottom plate to be shifted in relation to the pair ofrollers for cleaning of at least said plates.
 8. The device of claim 7,wherein said first piston cylinder means moves the top and bottom platesof said compartment horizontally out of said operating position.
 9. Thedevice of claim 7, in which the entire compression compartment formed bythe two top and bottom plates can be shifted in relation to the pair ofrollers.
 10. The device of claim 7, in which at least the bottom platecan be translatory shifted in a perpendicular direction to the planeformed by the axes of the rollers.
 11. The device of claim 10, in whichat least the bottom plate is supported in a slide assembly which is ofdovetail design. to
 12. The device of claim 10, in which at least thebottom plate is equipped with an adjusting unit which rests upon thestationary part of a bearing support.
 13. The device of claim 7, inwhich at least one of said top and bottom plates is equipped with aguide plate which is mounted to the plate turned away from thecompression compartments and which extends with a rail between two armsof a support member, said arms being preferably spring-mounted to eachother.
 14. The device of claim 13, in which the arms are connected witheach other by clamping devices.
 15. The device of claim 13 wherein saidfirst piston cylinder means has a piston pivotally mounted to the railof the guide plate.
 16. The device of claim 15, in which the piston hasa hinge connection located on the rail between two clamping unitsmounted transversely to the rail.
 17. The device of claim 15, in whicheach piston cylinder means is inclined in relation to its associated boxplate.
 18. The device of claim 13 further comprising a side bracketwhich holds each plate in its operating position and is swivelablearound the axis of the respective roller, said side bracket beingequipped with two pivotally connected arms upon the free ends of whichrests a guide plate for the other plate forming the compressioncompartment, said guide plate being shiftable.
 19. In a device forcrimping groups of textile filaments comprising a pair of opposingrollers disposed one above the other, one of said rollers being mountedin a stationary manner and the other of said rollers being swivelablymounted, a compression compartment comprising a swivelable plate and aplate which is stationary in operation and connected to side plates,said compression compartment being operatively associated with the nipof the rollers on one side of said rollers for receiving filamentstherefrom, means operatively associated with the plates of thecompression compartment for moving the plates of said compartment out ofoperating position and other means operatively associated with therollers for pressing the other of said rollers against said one roller,the improvement which comprises bearings for at least one of the rollersbeing embraced by a separate bearing ring which in turn is fixed to apedestal support.
 20. The device of claim 19, in which one of thecompression compartment plates is swivelable around the axis of one ofthe rollers by a side bracket, the side bracket being mounted to aseparate bearing ring which in its turn embraces a bearing of theroller.
 21. The device of claim 19, in which the rollers are supportedin the pedestal support without any axial play by a play-free bearing.22. In a device for crimpiNg groups of textile filaments comprising apair of opposing rollers disposed one above the other, one of saidrollers being mounted in a stationary manner and the other of saidrollers being swivelably mounted, a compression compartment comprising aswivelable plate and a plate which is stationary in operation andconnected to side plates, said compression compartment being operativelyassociated with the nip of the rollers on one side of said rollers forreceiving filaments therefrom, means operatively associated with theplates of the compression compartment for moving the plates of saidcompartment out of operating position and other means operativelyassociated with the rollers for pressing the other of said rollersagainst said one roller, the improvement which comprises lateralcompression compartment walls provided with thrust washers located levelwith the nip of the rollers, said washers bearing against outer sectionsof the roller faces and being revolved parallel to the axes of therollers.
 23. The device of claim 22, in which the rotational axis of thethrust washer is excentrically located at a certain distance from thenip of the rollers.
 24. The device of claim 22, in which the thrustwasher revolves continuously.
 25. The device of claim 24, in which anautomatically operating adjusting element acts on the thrust washer. 26.The device of claim 25, in which the adjusting element acts on thecircumference of the thrust washer.
 27. The device of claim 26, in whichteeth with a diameter smaller than that of the thrust washer areprovided for engagement with the adjusting element.
 28. The device ofclaim 25, in which the adjusting element is mounted to a recess in therespective side plate.
 29. The device of claim 25, in which theadjusting element is a piston cylinder means, the free end of the pistonin said means being provided with an adjusting head which engages withthe teeth on the thrust washer.
 30. The device of claim 29, in which theadjusting head is swivelable around a hinge in the piston.
 31. Thedevice of claim 22, in which said piston of the piston cylinder meansacts on the thrust washer and thereby exerts a pressure on said thrustwasher.
 32. The device of claim 31, in which the pressure is maintainedconstant by means of a valve.
 33. The device of claim 32, in which thevalve is designed as a nonreturn valve.